Armistice Day

Armistice Day: Cartoon, 9 Nov. 1921

On Friday November 11, America celebrates Veterans Day in a humble effort to recognize those men and women who have served in the armed forces.

This tradition began with President Woodrow Wilson who proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. This was one year to the day after an armistice had been signed between Germany and the Allies, bringing an end to World War I combat in Europe.

Wilson, battling the effects of his recent stroke, declared: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

Wilson was very determined to make sure those who had fought and died for America were remembered and honored. With one of his final acts of office, Wilson signed legislation to inter the remains of an Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery. On the two year anniversary of his Armistice Day proclamation, Wilson returned as a member of a parade to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He refused a place of honor in the procession and traveled as an ordinary citizen.

On May 13, 1938, Congress passed legislation making November 11 an official federal holiday, Armistice Day. On June 1, 1954, after the world had witnessed another unspeakably violent conflict, President Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name of the holiday from “Armistice” Day to “Veterans” Day to be more inclusive of all and future wars.

The “Draconian Law That Made Even German Chocolate Cake and Sauerkraut Bad” – Part 2

October 27, 1919: Wilson Vetoes the National Prohibition Act

Stockpiled Barrels of Alcohol

In October 1919, President Wilson was slowly recovering from a massive stroke he had suffered not a month prior, but felt motivated to take a position against the Volstead Act. He took issue with the second part of the Act that called for enforcement of Wartime measures, which he felt were now unnecessary by definition as hostilities in Europe had ended.

In his official veto of the Volstead Act, Wilson warned that when dealing with matters that affected the “personal habits and customs of large numbers of our people“ it was more essential than ever that legal procedure be taken most seriously.

However, Wilson’s largely technical civil liberties argument was of no matter to the House of Representatives, who overrode his veto just two hours after receiving it. The Senate agreed and the Volstead Act became law on October 28, 1919, certifying “intoxicating liquors” to be any substance that contained over 0.5% alcohol.

This law, designed to regulate even the lightest beers, technically also made naturally fermenting recipes like sauerkraut and German chocolate cake illegal; a rule that documentarian Ken Burns dubbed “draconian.”

Wilson was never an outspoken supporter of either the “wet” or “dry” positions, and even took care to avoid the polarizing debate in his 1916 election campaign. While he garnered support from both sides of the issue, he was no teetotaler and was known to take the occasional glass of scotch in the evening. Before he left office Congress even passed a special law so he could transport his wine collection from the White House to his new home in 1921. 

However, Wilson was a firm believer in progressive action and lawmaking, and was an outspoken supporter of civil liberties. His veto attempt was ultimately informed not by the size of his wine cellar, but by his desire to protect the rights of citizens from improper legislation.

The Prohibition Amendment, the only addition to the United States Constitution to inhibit a freedom rather than expand one, did decrease alcohol consumption, but also created a boom in organized crime and corruption. Thirteen years after Wilson’s veto the failed “noble experiment” known as Prohibition was repealed by the 21^st Amendment, on December 5, 1933. Once again German chocolate cake and sauerkraut were recognized as fully legal foods.

The “Draconian Law That Made Even German Chocolate Cake and Sauerkraut Bad” – Part 1

October 27, 1919: Wilson Vetoes the National Prohibition Act

The crowning achievement of the Prohibition movement that swept America in the early part of the 20^th century was the ratification of the 18^th Amendment in 1919. What many people don’t know is that the Amendment itself simply banned “intoxicating liquors,” and that the actual regulations regarding Prohibition were set up by the Volstead Act of 1920.

Prohibition Agents at Work

It is natural to assume that since the Prohibition Amendment was passed during Wilson’s presidency that he must have been a staunch supporter. However, on October 27, 1919, Wilson, a casual drinker although never to excess, vetoed the Volstead Act, more commonly known as the National Prohibition Act.

There was immense public interest in the debate over “going dry,” but Wilson and Congress were tasked with making the smart and proper decision, not just giving in to whoever shouted the loudest. In 1918 the War Trade Board Committee, chaired by Herbert Hoover, advised, “no industry should be absolutely prohibited” and recommended a “policy of curtailment, rather than complete prohibition.”

The first curtailing steps were taken on June 30, 1919, when the temporary Wartime Prohibition Act was enacted, declaring all production or sale of substances containing over 2.75% alcohol to be illegal. This Act was not passed to prevent drunkenness or immorality, but was enacted as a way to save grain for the war effort.

You might be asking yourself, wait, wasn’t the war over in 1919?

Actually, in 1919 the United States was technically still at war because Congress rejected the famed Versailles Treaty, which Wilson was so invested in. (The only time the United States has ever rejected a peace treaty.) President Harding would see Congress’ Knox-Porter Resolution finally allow for a formal treaty signing with minimal pomp or circumstance between American and Germany in Berlin on August 25, 1921.

So when the Volstead Act was passed by the House and Senate and set before Wilson in October of 1919, it contained two sections: one that provided for the enforcement of the new Constitutional Amendment, and one that sought to enforce Wartime Prohibition. With conflict at an end, the war was over in the minds of most Americans and the nation was ready to move forward.

The Fall Classic

“Yale Yale can’t play ball, what in the Hell do we care now.”

On October 9, 1915, the former 2^nd Baseman for the Lightfoot Baseball Club of Augusta, Georgia threw out the first pitch for Game 2 of the World Series. Woodrow Wilson was an avid lifetime fan of America’s Pastime and took every opportunity he could to be involved with the sport.

In fact, his first stint as a president took place in his parents’ loft in 1870 as he led the Lightfoot Baseball Club’s meetings. Then, during his one year at Davidson College in 1873, “Tommy” Wilson played center field for the Fighting Wildcats. Unfortunately, the level of his passion for the game didn’t necessarily extend to his play and he failed to make the team at Princeton, but went on to serve as the team’s assistant manager. The cheer “Yale Yale can’t play ball, what in the Hell do we care now” was a popular taunt following a win in the highly contested Princeton-Yale baseball series. A Princeton man through and through, Wilson would later teach and serve as the president of the college and while there are no specific records of this, I strongly suspect that those words may have crossed his lips.

While in office, Wilson attended 11 Major League Baseball games and made several historical appearances. On April 4, 1913 Wilson threw out the first pitch for the Opening Day match up between the Washington Senators and the New York Yankees. This was the first game played by a team formally recognized as the Yankees. The team formerly known as The Highlanders had moved to the newly rebuilt stadium at Polo Grounds, and had adopted the new name “Yankees,” coined years earlier by sportswriter Jim Price, which had become extremely popular with fans.

Perhaps Wilson’s most memorable game was his attendance of Game 2 of the 1915 World Series, the first ever Fall Classic game attended by a president. He was not in attendance for the starts in Games 1 and 3 by the legendary Grover Cleveland Alexander, but Boston pitcher Rube Foster put on a show of his own in Game 2, pitching 9 innings of 1-run ball and driving in the winning run of the game himself in the ninth inning. The 1915 World Series is often remembered as George Herman “Babe” Ruth’s postseason debut, but what is often forgotten is that his “debut” amounted to going 0-1 in his sole appearance in the series: as a pinch hitter.

Four years later, December 1919 saw Ruth infamously traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees, and Wilson awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Wilson suffered a stroke late in 1918 and was unable to attend any more baseball games, but if he had he would have done it just like any other fan. Despite having a “presidential lifetime pass,” a tradition starting with Theodore Roosevelt, Wilson always opted to pay for his ticket.

Wilson Monument in Prague

Wilson Monument Dedicated in Prague

Check out the above link… A statue of Woodrow WIlson has been erected in Prague; the former statue was removed by the Nazis in 1941.

“Much of the damage the Nazis caused can never be undone. But returning the monument of Woodrow Wilson to its proper place is a direct reply to Hitler and to Heydrich. Those men have long since been vanquished, but the ideas of Wilson, like the spirit of [Masaryk], are still alive and flourishing.” – former US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright

Marlin Fitzwater To Visit

Former Press Secretary for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, Marlin Fitzwater, will be talking about his experiences in the White House this Thursday, October 6, at 7:30 pm at Lee High School in Staunton. Our president and CEO, Don Wilson, will be conducting the conversational interview. Don Wilson worked with Fitzwater in Washington.

Mr. Fitzwater is also a published author. His bestseller, Call the Briefing, talks about his time in the White House. He also wrote a novel Death in the Polka Dot Shoes, about a Chesapeake Bay waterman. Along with being a published author, Fitzwater was also a writer and consultant for the popular television show, The West Wing.

This event is co-hosted by Staunton City Schools and sponsored by StellarOne. This event is free to the public.

Woodrow Wilson Quote #6

Twitter Post

“Because I love the South, I rejoice in the failure of the Confederacy.”–Woodrow Wilson #wilsonquotes #civilwar

Context

March 1880–An Essay on John Bright

Before his career as a politician and reformer, Wilson was a prolific scholar and writer. This particular excerpt comes from Wilson’s biographical sketch of John Bright, a mid-to-late-nineteenth century British reformer. Bright was a member of the British government for over forty years and became known for his fight for free trade and against price protections for “British landed interests.” Bright was also instrumental in ensuring Parliament would become a more democratically representative institution.

Of interest here is Wilson’s sidebar note on the Confederacy. Wilson reveals himself as a proud supporter of the Confederate cause and Southerner beyond question, although he recognizes Southern defeat was better in the long term. However, Wilson does indeed recognize that the perpetuation of slavery would have been of negative consequence for the South. Slavery exhausted resources, and the agricultural economy of the South had reached an impasse. According to Wilson, Northern industry would have eventually overtaken the South.

On the other hand, Wilson pays homage to the leaders of secession and their “purity of purpose,” “the righteousness of the cause which they thought they were promoting,” and the Confederate soldiers who lost their lives. Wilson criticizes Bright for his interpretation of secession, claiming Bright did not fully understand the “doctrine of States Rights.” Interestingly enough, nothing is said to address the impact of slavery and freedom upon African-Americans; Wilson only mentions the impact of slavery upon the economy.

Extended Quote

“I yield to no one precedence in love for the South. But because I love the South, I rejoice in the failure of the Confederacy. Suppose that secession had been accomplished?…The perpetuation of slavery would, beyond all question, have wrecked our agricultural and commercial interests, at the same time that it supplied a fruitful source of irritation abroad and agitation within…We cannot conceal from ourselves the fact that the Northern union would have continued stronger than we, and always ready to use her strength to compass our destruction. With this double certainty, then, of weakness and danger, our future would have been more than dark; it would have been inevitably and overwhelmingly disastrous.”

Source

An Essay on John Bright appearing in Virginia University Magazine in March 1880. The essay is included in Woodrow Wilson: Essential Writings and Speeches of the Scholar-President edited by Mario Di Nunzio, available on Google books here.

Woodrow Wilson Quote #5

Twitter Post

“The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people.”–Woodrow Wilson #quotes #wilsonquotes

Context

June 17, 1890–”Leaders of Men: An Address”

Wilson accepted an invitation of the faculty of the University of Tennessee to deliver an address during the 1890 commencement exercises. This was to be Wilson’s first commencement speech. The UT speech was a slight revision of a successful lecture given many times before, and this speech was no different. In the next day’s Knoxville Journal, journalists reported that Wilson delivered an excellent oration for over an hour and a half to a fully entranced crowd. The speech itself is an excellent example of Wilson’s high level of academic accomplishment and reveals the early thoughts of Wilson as he builds his political career.

The speech delivered at UT was repeated four subsequent times: Yale Law School’s Kent Club, Oberlin College’s commencement, at a church benefit in Princeton, and at a boys’ school in Connecticut.

Extended Quote

“The constituent habit of a people inheres in its thought, and to that thought legislation–even the legislation that advances and modifies habit–must keep very near. The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people. He cannot be of the school of the prophets; he must be of the number of those who studiously serve the slow-paced daily demand.”

Source

Arthur S. Link, editor. The Papers of Woodrow Wilson, Vol. 6. Pp. 646-671. Specific quote on p. 660.

Woodrow Wilson Quote #4

Twitter Post

“The history of liberty is a history of resistance. “–Woodrow Wilson #quotes #wilsonquotes

Context

September 17, 1912–An address to the New York Press Club

Wilson was in the middle of his 1912 presidential election campaign. Meeting with the New York Press Club was extremely important considering the power the New York newspapers held. Wilson’s stated goal for the speech was to discuss “the affairs of the country as if I were not a candidate but a citizen.” The speech is an engaging, but fairly general speech on 1912 politics.

Extended Quote

“Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of the government. The history of liberty is a history of resistance. The history of liberty is a history of the limitation of governmental power, not the increase of it. Do these gentlemen dream that in the year 1912 we have discovered a unique exception to the movement of human history? Do they dream that the whole character of those who exercise power has changed, that it is no longer a temptation? Above all things else, do they dream that men are bred great enough now to be a Providence over the people over whom they preside?”

Source

Arthur S. Link, editor. The Papers of Woodrow Wilson, Vol. 25. Pp. 118-128.

Woodrow Wilson Quote #3

Twitter Post

“America is not anything if it consists of each of us. It is something only if it consists of all of us.”—W. Wilson #wilsonquotes #quotes

Context

August 29, 1916—An address to Pittsburgh business leaders on “preparedness” This speech was one of many Wilson gave to business and industrial leaders in late-summer 1916. By this point, war was raging in Europe and Wilson was gearing up for his presidential campaign. Wilson clearly wanted to avoid American involvement in Europe, but he clearly recognized that America’s neutrality was in serious question. Thus, Wilson urged leaders of industry to be prepared if and when the call to war happens. A large standing army was not the solution; a flexible industrial workforce was. Wilson wanted American industry to continue its growth towards becoming the largest economy in the world, and Wilson was unwilling to sacrifice any of that growth for militaristic purposes (at least at this point).

Extended Quote

“We want American character to be efficient. We want American character to display itself in what I may perhaps be allowed to call spiritual efficiency—clear, disinterested thinking and fearless action along the right lines of thought. America is nothing if it consists merely of each of us; it is something only if it consists of all of us. And it cannot consist of all of us unless our spirits are banded together in a common enterprise. That common enterprise is the enterprise of liberty and justice and right. There, I, for my part, have a great enthusiasm for rendering America spiritually efficient, and that conception lies at the basis of what seems very far removed from it, namely, the plans that have been proposed for the military efficiency of this nation. Those plans do not involve a great army, because that is not America’s way of being efficient in respect of her physical force. We do not intend, we never intend, to have a standing army great than is necessary for the ordinary uses of peace. But we want to have, back of that army, a people who can rally to its assistance in the most efficacious fashion at any time they are called on to do so, but who, in the meantime, are not professional soldiers, who do not take the professional soldier’s point of view in the respect of public affairs, whose thought is upon their daily tasks of peaceful industry, and who know that in the United States the civilian takes precedence of the soldier.”

Source 

Arthur S. Link, editor. The Papers of Woodrow Wilson, Vol. 36. Pp. 26-35. Specific quote on p. 29.